i want to congratulate my friend steve israel for the extraordinary job he has done. i have gone through this country, i have been in almost 90 districts, 89 districts in this country. campaigning with extraordinary candidates. some incumbents khomeni challengers. they are extraordinary people who will do an excellent, outstanding job as a members of the congress. steve israel has set an objective. he has worked hard and he's going to prove successful tonight. ladies and gellman me say this. we could not have been successful without the leadership, the extraordinary energy, the focus, and the extraordinary ability to raise funds for the cause, not for the party, but for the cause of making a better america. so many of you in this room have joined with her and with us in making sure that we have the resources to prevent -- present our case. and want to congratulate nancy pelosi, our leader. [cheers and applause] you have all heard me say over and over again, i have been at this for some period of time. i have never seen anybody with more energy, or focus, more self dis